HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 CAD engineering softwareAgenda Item # 13
To: Board of Directors
From: Ian Fitzgerald
Date: June 04, 2014
Subject: Consideration of the Purchase of Autodesk CAD Engineering
Software
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
Board approval is required for expenditures in excess of $15,000.
2. HISTORY
Autodesk software is a critical application used daily by the District's engineers and IT
staff. The ability to design water, electric, communication, and building infrastructure
is dependent on this software. Collaboration with other agencies and private
engineering firms is also dependent on this software to share designs, survey, and
easement information.
3. NEW INFORMATION
Autodesk has significantly changed since 2004. Newer versions now collaborate
seamlessly with our GIS data and databases. In addition, new tools allow for full
integration of our LIDAR elevation data created in 2006 and again in 2011.
The newest version of Autodesk will provide new advanced functionality not previously
available to our engineering staff. In addition, collaboration with outside agencies will
be less time consuming when sharing engineering data files.
A quote provided by DLT Solutions via Ideate Inc includes the following licenses:
3 AutoCAD Licenses
2 AutoCAD Map Licenses
1 Infrastructure Design Suite
The price of the quote, through a competitive procurement government contract award
TIPS/TAPS, by DLT Solutions via Ideate Inc. is $22,084. This price reflects a trade in
value of the old software of $4,600, Section 3.08.060 of the District's code (Joint
Purchasing with the State of California and other public agencies) permits the District
to take advantage of other agencies low bids providing that competitive procurement
procedures were followed. The code also permits the purchase of goods at or below
government contract bids. The District needs to purchase the software before July
25th to obtain this price. After this date the price will go up to $26,700.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds exist within the approved Electric Capital Replacement Fund for this
project.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Authorize a purchase contract with DLT Solutions, through Ideate Inc for Autodesk
CAD Software in the amount of $22,084, plus tax.
Stephen Hollabaugh Michael D. Holley
Assistant General Manager General Manager
Agenda Item # 13
WORKSHOP
To: Board of Directors
From: Ian Fitzgerald
Date: December 18, 2013
Subject: Overview of District Voice Communication Replacement Project
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
The purpose of this workshop is to provide the Board with an overview of the plan to
replace the District's voice communication technology (phones and radios) with a
unified communication system.
2. HISTORY
The District's communication technology is well beyond its useful life. Radios are 20
years old and are unreliable to the point where field employees have to use cell
phones due to reliability issues. The current office private branch exchange (PBX)
phone system was developed in the early 1990's. The importance of reliable, clear,
uniterupted communication in a dangerous work environment like high voltage
electricity, and in a regional environment where natural disasters like earthquakes and
forest fires are prevelant, cannot be undervalued. New technology exists today that will
improve communications and integrate disparate systems seamlessly.
The District has been building a foundation of technology that is now capable of
supporting a unified communication system. The system will drastically improve the
way District staff communicates with employees, community partners, and the public.
A history of the District's communication technology is as follows:
• 2011 (fall) - District replaced network infrastructure with new switches, wireless
access points, and firewalls. System standards of checks and balances for
technology failover were put in place. This allowed for high bandwidth traffic
required for voice over internet protocal (VOIP) technology and communication
access from other cities.
• 2011 (winter) - District began fiber installation, providing fast network access to
District owned remote sites. This allowed for placement of radio transmitters at
multiple locations throughout the District for optimal coverage.
• 2012 (spring) - District implemented data center technology to support servers
and applications. This allowed for the computing power and storage required
for communication servers and unified communications integration.
• 2013 (spring) - District implemented disaster recovery technology to allow for
server and data failover offsite. This ensured technology failure at District
offices would not cause loss of communications.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The District is looking at a unified communication system that will replace and
integrate our voice radios, office phones, computers, and smart phones in one
communication platform.
The system will be divided into three separate projects which will include:
1) VOIP Phone System: The District is considering replacement of the PBX phone
system with either a Cisco or Shoretel solution. This system will make use of the
existing IP network infrastructure, reducing costs and time to implement. This
system also provides the foundation for future technologies such as audio
conversation recording, customer information system (CIS) integration, video web
conferencing, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), and reverse IVR.
Dates: Action Item - January 15th Board Meeting; Installation: Mid February to Late
March
2) Radio System: The District is considering replacement of the current radios with a
new digital radio mondiale (DRM) technology. This system uses computer network
technology and provides crystal clear radio communication, allowing for advanced
technology like voip phone operations, global positioning systems (GPS) location,
text messaging, and email. Replacement of the radio system will allow for a
reduction of cell phones and associated costs from the field operations.
Dates: Action Item - March 19th Board Meeting; Installation: Mid April to Late June
3) Communication Integration: The District is considering integration of the radio and
voip phone systems into one unified operation, where a phone can be used as a
radio, and a radio can be used as a phone. This technology will reduce the number
of devices required by staff for operational communications, and provide
communication advancements not available today at the District. New functionality
will include customer ability to speak with field staff on radios, a single emergency
communication between community partners, and one -button radio communication
through desktop phones or smartphones.
Dates: Action Item: August 20th Board Meeting; Installation in September
This proposed technology will lay a further foundation for a unified communication
system that will improve safety, hardened communication privacy, extend customer
support, and save money.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for this item at this time.
Estimated fiscal impact:
1) VOIP Phone System: Hardware/Software & Services - $65,000
2) Radio DMR System: Hardware/Software & Services - $1601000
3) Communication Integration: Hardware/Software and Services - $60,000
5. RECOMMENDATION
Review and receive this report.
Stephen Hollabaugh Michael D. Holley
Assistant General Manager General Manager